Abruptly I gasped, “Please, Dev, now. Now!”
Devlin let go of his control with a snarl, pulling my hips tight against him, and began thrusting fast. In a second, I was there, orgasming harder than I ever had before in my life, screaming his name with all the air in my lungs. “Dev! Dev! Dev!”
His shout was as it had been that day months ago in the hotel. It was loud enough to shake the room as it tore out of him, as if it was tearing out his heart. “Saaaaaarrr!”
Devlin held me tightly, his hips still shuddering against mine as he shouted my name over and over. Several minutes later, he stopped spasming, then hugged me tightly.
“I love you,” he whispered. He carefully withdrew his softening penis, then wrapped me in his arms.
“I love you, too, Oathed One,” I whispered, closing my eyes as I hugged him, contented.
Though I meant just to doze, I quickly dropped off to sleep. Sometime later, Devlin awakened me with a kiss.
“Sar, how do you feel?”
“Wonderful,” I said languidly, stretching. Every muscle I had ached, but it was the good ache that a woman feels after she has been well loved. “That was incredible.”
“Yes, it was,” he said, deeply satisfied. “But one thing still remains.”
“I don’t want to drink your blood,” I said, trying to be as nice as possible about it.
He laughed, touching my face with his hand. “You don’t have to, Sar. We have shared enough these past few days that it isn’t necessary, though that is what is usually done. I’ve given you my blood to heal you, and you have given me yours, both for pleasure and to sustain me. The Oath is satisfied.”
“I have to ask something,” I said, curious. “Danial never asked me to drink his blood. If that is what is done during Oathing, why didn’t he ask me?”
“He was new at it,” Devlin said, unruffled. “He had never Oathed anyone before you, Sar. Also, he didn’t want to hurt you, and he probably thought his blood was dangerous to you back then, as it might well have been. He may have been unsure about what amount to give you or even how to give it to you. Any vampire who has taken blood from a donor and then healed them with their own blood has done enough to validate the blood exchange asked for in Oathing. I merely mention it to you out of formality.”
“How is it usually done then?”
“Usually, the vampire, be it man or woman, opens a cut or has their intended do it, and then the intended kisses the wound. Or, the vampire will taste their intended in a long kiss, then open a wound themselves, and give their intended one their blood in that kiss, much how I shared my blood with you that night we met.” He gave me a pleased smile. “As I said, that part of the Oath is well satisfied.”
I hadn’t liked him doing it then, but oddly I remembered that the taste of his blood had reminded me of maple sugar. And Devlin had liked it very much. “Do it again.”
Devlin glanced over, startled and clearly excited. “You want me to taste you?”
“That night, I was scared,” I admitted. “Too scared to remember much except it hurt.”
“You’re right that if I do it now there will be no pain,” Devlin answered. “Are you sure you want to? It is more a symbolic gesture than anything else. It has no lasting effects, at least that I know of.” He kissed me softly again on my forehead. “Not five minutes ago, you just said you didn’t want to drink blood, Love.”
“I want to taste yours,” I said deliberately. “As your Oathed One, it’s my right.”
Devlin lowered his eyes, his smile widening. “Then sit up, Love. Your wish is my command.”
We both sat up. He took my face in his hands. “Tell me if it hurts, and I’ll stop.”
I nodded.
Devlin brought my lips to his. After a few seconds, I felt one fang slice my tongue. There was no pain. Devlin began to kiss me harder, his tongue delving into my mouth as he swallowed. Languid pleasure washed over me. I kissed him back harder, thrusting my tongue into his mouth. He suckled it gently, then let it go, drawing back slightly, our lips parting. Within a moment, he kissed me again, his mouth opening on mine. Again, I tasted sweet maple sugar with a faint undercurrent of copper. I kissed him eagerly, licking the inside of his mouth. Devlin let me, emitting soft groans of pleasure. Gently, he pushed me away.
“God, that was wonderful,” he sighed, sprawling back on the bed.
“Why do you like it?” I asked curiously. “I get that you’re a vampire and you drink blood, but why the sexual aspect to it?”
“I’m a man of many desires,” Devlin said wantonly, smirking. “You must have a favorite food? Name it.”
“Several. Chocolate in all its forms, pizza, French fries, hamburgers, eel—”
“Are these in order?” he said, laughing richly.
“The first one is,” I said, laughing.
“Imagine the rush you get, the intense pleasure just tasting the chocolate, the joy you feel as it melts in your mouth and you consume it. I feel that same joy.”
“With my blood?”
“With most blood,” Devlin amended. He kissed my hand. “Yours is a hundred times more intensely flavored. My only lament is that tonight will be my last taste for some time.”
Panic flooded me. “Won’t you be leaving on Friday night? Why will the last time be tonight?”
“Danial is coming back Friday, which is tomorrow night. He will be here right after nightfall, perhaps sooner. You need time alone together, both to celebrate your love with him, and to cement your final plan for the Gathering.”
Ask him now. “Please come with us,” I begged, clasping his hand in both of mine. “You said Lash is the best—”
Devlin grasped my hands in his. “I’ll do you more good by not being there. You are better off making plans with Danial, and letting me fight this war from a different front.”
I broke down crying, devastated. Devlin hugged me close, but didn’t say anything.
“I need you,” I sniffled. “Danial needs you. I’m scared to death of what’s going to happen to Theoron.”
“Terian will watch him like a hawk,” Devlin said soothingly. “He will be the safest person at that party. It’s Danial and you who must be watchful. Do as he says, Sar. And you must also do as I tell you.”
I wiped my eyes. “Tell me your plan. I can face this if I know it, Dev. I’m terrified.”
“I’d tell you if I could,” Devlin said, serious. “But you must know nothing of it for it to work—”
I gripped the choker with both hands, and yanked hard, letting out an anguished cry. “Take this damned thing off! You don’t love me!”
Lightning fast, Devlin grabbed my hands, pulling them away. “Stop, you fool, or you’ll cut your flesh.” He hugged me close. “If I feared for your safety, I’d not let you go. The worst that can befall you is that you’re taken hostage against your will. If that happens, I will send Lash for you. He has never failed me.”
“He hates me,” I sobbed. “I tried to be nice and he hated me.”
“He doesn’t hate you,” Devlin said, clearly uncomfortable. “He’s just having trouble adjusting. In any case, he never lets his emotions interfere with his job.”
“I’m scared,” I whispered. “They’re going to kill Danial. He thinks so, too.”
“I know one who will likely try,” Devlin said, vengeful. “But you leave that to me, Love. As I promised you, I’ll do all that I can.”
I moved away from him, wrapping blankets around me. “When are you leaving?”
“I have to get back early tomorrow morning to Hayden.”
“Did they succeed?” I asked hollowly.
“Yes. Lash called this morning.” He turned regretful. “I would have loved seeing the look on Danial’s face when he learns you’re his again. It is going to be something to see.” He kissed my hand fondly. “You will have to tell me of it later.”
“There won’t be a later,” I said darkly.
Devlin turned me to face him, then hug
ged me. “Yes there will. Come, get dressed. We are going out to celebrate.”
“It’s got to be eight at night at least. Besides, I don’t feel like celebrating.”
“I do,” Devlin said pointedly, getting up. “Worrying and sulking is a waste of your time, particularly if you believe you have not much left. Dress, and let me take you out.”
I got out of bed, and began to put on clothes, not answering.
“Sar, I have to feed,” Devlin continued. “I can’t take any more from you tonight, save that little taste later, or Danial will not be able to drink from you tomorrow. Also, there may be some kind of public display Saturday you need to do with him. You need me not to feed from you, especially not the amount I need to take.” He turned me to face him slowly. “I could go alone, but a large meal would do both your body and your mind good.” He embraced me again. “And we have never been out together before. Please, come celebrate with me.”
I pushed him away and finished dressing. Still silent, I hung up my ivory gown. It was remarkably smooth for all my time in it.
“Wear it for him,” Devlin whispered sadly. “I want him to have a night as enjoyable as ours was, at least at the beginning.”
Upset, I clasped his hand. “I’ll go with you. Get dressed, and meet me in five.”
Devlin left. I washed up, then put on some makeup and fluffed my hair. When I emerged, Devlin was dressed, and had just given the dogs some treats they were gnawing.
“Ready?” he asked.
I nodded, then tossed him the keys. “You drive.”
* * * *
“They have fries, hamburgers, and chocolate here, not to mention wine,” Devlin said, parking the car at a popular chain restaurant.
“This is good,” I said, nodding. “I’m hungrier than I thought.”
The night was a slow one. Within minutes, we were in a booth, sipping the best red on the wine list and perusing the menu.
Devlin put down his glass, and leaned across the table. “Sar, I am leaving now. I’ll try to be back in a half hour or so. Order whatever you want to, and eat without me.”
Panic filled me. “What should I do if a—” I cut off as a waitress passed close by.
“You will be able to resist,” Devlin replied, squeezing my hand. “And they will not be drawn to you, should one see you. All danger of uncontrollable behavior is over. You are safe here with so many eyes watching you.” He kissed me once more, then got up and left. He hurried to the truck, started it, then drove off.
The waitress came back, noticed Devlin gone, and gave me a sad look. Ignoring her misplaced pity, I gleefully said, “Salad for an appetizer, and then some fries and a rare colossal sized hamburger, then some Tiramisu for dessert.”
When she’d gone, I called Danial. He answered on the first ring.
“Sar, I was about to call you. Are you still well?”
Say as little as possible, or he’ll know something’s up. “Yes.”
“I’m getting done early out here. I should be to you by six tomorrow. I need to take Elle to your parents’ home tomorrow, but that will only delay me a short while.”
“Danial, I’ll take her,” I offered. “Now I’m better, I’d like to spend some time with her before we leave Saturday.”
“We are leaving for Canada on Friday around midnight,” Danial said primly. “Theo wants us there before Saturday, remember, so he can take that entire day to check out the hotel, and the Gathering place?”
“Sorry, I forgot. What should I bring to wear?”
“Tatiana has made you a dress, and she has accessories for it as well. You need only pack whatever else you need for the journey.”
Time for the big question. “What are the hotel arrangements?”
“As when we have traveled before, Sar: a two bedroom suite.”
“What did Theo say, Danial? Have you talked to him?”
“He asked that he be allowed to sleep on the sofa outside. He said that you could take his room, that he could guard us both better that way anyway.”
“He can have his room. I’ll be in yours. I was really asking about his plans.”
“He said only what I just told you—”
Stymied again. Shit, why did I care? I told myself I didn’t care.
“—what I want to know is where you are. You’re calling from your cell phone.”
There was fear, but also delight. Yet suddenly blurting that we were Oathed again via phone was not how I imagined breaking the news to him. I wanted to be face to face. “I’m out.”
“Out where? With who?”
“I’m with no one right now,” I said honestly. Devlin still hadn’t returned. “Trust me.”
“I do trust you. Now tell me where you are and who you’re with.”
“I’m at a restaurant waiting for food in a booth, alone.”
“I know who is with you,” he said menacingly. “What have you done—!”
“Danial, I love you and I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said, and hung up. Quickly turning off my cell, I put it in my purse. Danial would call back immediately, so it was better he got voice mail.
The waitress brought my food. I began devouring it, relishing how good the fatty food tasted. I was just finishing my fries when Devlin appeared. He was almost glowing, his stubble again present.
“Hey,” he said, kissing me quickly on the cheek and sitting down. “How was your food?”
“Good,” I said, giving him an appreciative look. “I take it you’re full, too?”
“Yes,” he said, sipping his wine. “I was starving. Do you need more wine?”
I was halfway through my second glass. “No.” I wanted to ask him if he’d killed the person he’d bitten, but remained quiet.
His phone rang. He checked the caller ID, then shot me a grin.
“Danial?”
He nodded. The phone continued to ring.
“Should I answer, Sar?” Devlin said teasingly. “Or should I let him wonder why I don’t?”
He was enjoying this way too much. “I called him, so he wouldn’t worry when I didn’t answer at home. He suspects you are with me, Dev,” I said, drinking the last of my wine. “I told him I was out eating alone at a restaurant, and he still knew.”
“If I were him, I would have suspicions by now, too,” he said jovially. He picked up the phone. “Danial, how good to hear from you.”
“Yes, I’m with her,” Devlin said, shooting me delighted look.
“Yes,” he answered, deeply satisfied.
“Yes,” he repeated with even more satisfaction.
“Since Tuesday,” he said, enough relish dripping from his words that some spattered on the table. Instantly, I heard Danial shouting at him as he held the phone away from his ear.
Devlin cut him off, his voice velvety. “Listen before your jealousy overloads your mouth. She was dying. All your lofty plans would have been for nothing. You owe me a thank you, Brother.”
“You’re welcome,” Devlin continued. “Best of all, not only is the marking all done for you, but you’re Oathed again.”
There was a pause, then Devlin became irritated. “I’m not lying,” he said, miffed. “Sar can tell you herself.” He handed me the phone.
“Hello—?”
“Is it true?” Danial shouted. “Did you swear to me or only to him?” His tone was tumultuous: tears, anger, hope, jealousy and love all mixed together.
“I swore to both of you. He accepted on your behalf.”
“You will tell me everything, all of it on Friday,” Danial said furiously. “You will not leave out one Goddamn detail, is that understood?”
“Of course,” I said, irked. “I planned to tell you, Danial, but I wanted it to be in person where we could do more afterwards than me telling you more words over a phone.”
Danial let out a loud stream of swear words, most of which I’d never heard him utter before. I held the phone away from my ear, grimacing.
Devlin took it back. “Restrain your fru
stration. Remember, you are Oathed.” He hung up, then shot me a wide grin. “Well, that went well.”
“You are incorrigible,” I said, smiling.
The waitress brought my tiramisu. As I devoured that, Devlin finished his wine, then paid the bill, asking the waitress to seal the bottle for us to take along.
On the road home, we passed a small bar on the outskirts of town. The parking lot was half-full, a live rock band inside singing loudly. “Want to go in?” Devlin said, giving me a daring smile.
“Okay,” I said, taking his offered hand.
The place was a dive, but the music was great. Devlin and I went to stand with the throng at the front of the stage, swaying to the beat. It had been a long time since I’d seen a live band in a bar. It was larger than life, the loud music engulfing us, the energy of the people around us intoxicating.
“Like it?” Devlin said in my ear.
“Yes!” I said loudly, trying to make him hear me. He laughed, though I felt the vibration of it through my back more than heard it.
“Devlin?” a voice called questioningly.
We both turned. An African American man was making his way through the crowd to us. He looked about twenty or so, well dressed for his surroundings.
“Stay silent, no matter what,” Devlin said quickly to me. He moved away toward the man. I watched worriedly, understanding he’d both recognized the man and expected trouble. They met about ten yards away, just close enough for me to make out their loud words under the music.
“Devlin,” the man said again in surprise, his manner friendly. “What are you doing here? I heard you were in Europe. Are you going to the Gathering?”
“I’m trying to get laid,” Devlin said, glancing over at me pointedly.
I looked at the floor, appalled, pretending to be oblivious.
“She’s cute,” the man replied. “Does she do doubles? I could go for a double team tonight.”
It was all I could do not to reach into my pocket and wrap the choker around my neck. I forced my eyes to remain on the ground, even as my face turned scarlet.
Devlin said something else, and then they both laughed. Looking up casually, I saw a quick flash of fangs. Scary as that was, it was also a relief: Devlin had been adamant about barring me from other vampires.
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